Home › Rhode Island › Newport › Ballard Park
Ballard Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 61 Google reviews · Running trail in Newport, Rhode Island · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Ballard Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Park offering kid-friendly hikes and trails.
What runners say about Ballard Park
“This beautiful park is just a few minutes away from downtown and it's 100% worth talking a walk through!”
This beautiful park is just a few minutes away from downtown and it's 100% worth talking a walk through! There is enough land/woods that you feel far away from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
Ballard's Park is a Beautiful place for a casual walk or decent run. You can find multiple different trails for whatever experience you're looking for. You can find plenty of spots to stop for a quick workout as well. Ballard Park can quickly be turned in your your own personal Gym.
Beautiful cliffs and lots of short side trails. A nice, down to earth break from the glamor of Newport
This place is the most tranquil place you can go in Newport next to the library. It has cleared trails & beautiful scenery. There are other places to relax but this place has few tourist that visit it. If you like the outdoors & perhaps bird watching then this place is for you.
Trail conditions & character
“This beautiful park is just a few minutes away from downtown and it's 100% worth talking a walk through!”
“I was able to climb the cliff without any issue but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone because it was pretty risky(albeit extremely satisfying).”
Plan your run at Ballard Park
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitecityofnewport.com
- Phone(401) 619-3377
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Newport
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
King Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 817 reviews
Clean park with picnic tables, a playground and a beach.
Rovensky Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 119 reviews
Relaxed, leafy space, known for its mansions and clifftop views, plus dog-friendly paths.
Cliff Walk – South End
4.8 ★★★★★ 278 reviews
Hiking area featuring ocean views and mansions, plus a teahouse.
Narragansett Ave Waterfront Public Access Point
4.9 ★★★★★ 119 reviews
Popular park featuring a scenic cliff walk with stairs that lead to the water, plus bathrooms.
Cliff Walk
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,323 reviews
Path along a cliffy coastline dotted with opulent homes featuring ocean views.
Fort Wetherill State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,129 reviews
Hiking, boating & picnics with views at a former military training camp on rugged granite cliffs.